Hope for Today will inspire you to live a life connected to Christ by empowering you to fall in love with Jesus through personal spiritual growth. Teaching you the power of your identity and authority in Christ. Encouraging you in your inheritance as an ambassador for the kingdom of God!

She lived in a beautiful garden. I imagine large trailing vines with deep red flowers hanging from stately trees with large canopy’s of branches and leaves giving shade in all the right places. On the ground were different varieties of flowers in different shades and color; without any rhyme or reason, just beautifully existing in the protection of the garden. She and her husband were charged with taking care of the garden and the animals that lived there. They had all they ever needed, I suppose one could say they were content. One day she started talking with a serpent. She should have known better but she couldn’t help herself; she was intrigued by the crafty well spoken troublemaker. The serpent began asking her questions about the garden. Specifically about the trees in the garden; he cut to the chase and asked her, “did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Lately, I have been intrigued by this dialogue between Eve and the serpent. Interestingly, this story keeps coming up in conversations I’ve had over the past few weeks. Let’s back up for just a minute, does anyone else think that its odd that Eve is talking to a serpent to begin with? Like, hello, it is an everyday occurrence? Have you looked at pictures of serpents lately? This is what I imagine in my mind while reading this story.

Recently, I had the opportunity to see a picture of Michelangelo’s depiction of the serpent in this story and this is what his depiction looks like. Fascinating that this depiction shows the serpent with what appears to be a human upper body and a serpent like lower body. In which case, I can understand Eve even contemplating speaking with a serpent.

As Eve continued to listen to the serpent, she began to doubt God’s truth for her AND her husband. I believe she also began to doubt her contentment. Think about it, she and Adam had complete access to everything in the garden, except the fruit from on single tree. They even walked in the very presence of God. Then the unthinkable happened, she took one delicious bite of the forbidden fruit. She didn’t stop there nor could she contain herself; she offered it to her husband, and, he too ate of the fruit. Sin overtook them; the Fall happened; they were banished from the Garden for all eternity.

I believe we can surmise from Eve’s story that when we choose discontent in our life, it and the emotions and feelings surrounding the discontent can lead to sin. The hopeful side is that when we choose to abide, hang out with Jesus and just spend time in his presence we are more inclined to recognize the working of the serpent and call on the most powerful Name of all, Jesus Christ! We seek His wisdom.

Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3: 23-26.

These verses teach us this about God’s wisdom;

We will go on our way in safety.

We will lay down and not be afraid.

Our sleep will be sweet.

We will have no fear of sudden disaster.

The Lord will be at our side.

My friends, by day and by night, may you always seek God’s wisdom in all that you do. And, may the only fruit you eat be for your health, both physically and spiritually.